The corresponding committees in the Senate don’t have hearings scheduled on similar authorization or appropriations bills this coming week, although they may act soon thereafter. At a Space Transportation Association luncheon last month, Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), chairman of the space subcommittee of the Senate Commerce Committee, said he expected a Senate version of a NASA authorization bill by mid-July in order to support work on an appropriations bill.

5 comments to House committees to take up NASA authorization, appropriations bills this week

Maybe I’m missing something, but shouldn’t there be an authorization bill before an appropriations bill? Authorization says what the budget will be. Appropriations provides the money. If Appropriations is going forward with its own bill before there’s even an authorization bill, then why bother with an authorization bill?!

Authorization says what the budget ought to be, in the context of rationale representing smart strategic planning over several years. Appropriations says what it is, for one year, in the context of the cash on hand and other demands on the account. What it is, is almost never what it ought to be, unfortunately.